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FC Tucson, Futbol in Tucson

Tucson has a semi-professional soccer club, FC Tucson. Semi-professional means that they are closer to Kozły Poznań (the Poznan Goats, a semi-professional American Football team) than to Lech Poznań. They started playing just as I moved to Poland in 2011, so last night was the first time we’ve taken in a match. FC Tucson is part of the Premier Development League (PDL). FC Tucson doesn’t list a team roster on their website, so we don’t know the background of the players. I can tell you that in the PDL most of the players are amateurs, not receiving payment for playing. Some are college students, but the team can also include high school players, and former professional players who want to continue playing at a high level. In the PDL, only eight of a team’s 26 players can be over 23 years old and at least three players must be 18 or younger.

Their pitch has been converted from a Spring Training baseball field. My friend Melinda is very sad about the fact that we no longer have professional baseball in Tucson. She mentioned today soccer is being marketed as a substitute for baseball. I can see how for the die-hard fan like Melinda, it wouldn’t be a suitable replacement. For me, it’s even better! Soccer, as we’re learning to call it again, moves so much faster than baseball, more action, more athleticism.

Even for a layperson like me, the level of play last night was impressive. The play was fast with amazing footwork and most importantly, with some GOALS! The first half was very exciting, but after a 20 minute half-time, I found myself fading during the second half. It seemed like the players did too. The second half brought more passing of the ball back and forth across the field rather than moving it down the field. In this regard, they were much like Lech Poznan. The important thing is they won the first match of the season; we’re off to a good start!

Since we’ve come from the home of “the Poznan.” I would be remiss not to mention the FC Tucson version of the Ultras. They are know as the Cactus Pricks. A dedicated bunch, complete with drum, who did their best to bring the fan involvement and pageantry to our humble stands.

What would a football match be with a flare in the stands? 😉 Photo source: FC Tucson facebook page

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I thought of you on Sunday. I got to the B and B on Smolna in Warsaw a few minutes after 5:00. It had been a long day of travel from Amsterdam so I was interested in going out for an evening meal. When I opened the door from the foyer to the street I was shocked to find the street lined with police vans and police pouring out all dressed in black, wearing black helmets with acrylic face guards. A young couple came out after me — from their accent I couldn’t tell where, but not from Poland. They asked, “Is this a police state?” I told them no. I proceeded up to Nowy Swiat and then went to a restaurant on Foksal. Soon I heard singing and chanting and then I could see it was people coming from a sporting event, but by their scarves I couldn’t tell if it was futbol or rugby. And the colors on the scarves didn’t help me.

When Dorota and her husband picked me on Sunday I told them what I had seen and they explained it was futbol–and Poznan Lech. The police were there for crowd control on the bridge.

Lech lost to Legia in the final of the Polish Cup on Saturday.
We have gone to several Houston Dynamo matches. There is a large group of fans singing, chanting, etc. They have a drum and smoke bombs (I believe that is the term).
Manchester City is coming here on May 28th. We hope to see some stars, but you never know. They may send the second team.

Years ago Portland lost it’s minor league baseball team and our soccer team took over their stadium and moved into the MLS. There were many grumbles at first but the Timbers are now very beloved. I love soccer more than baseball too.